Aberystwyth

The annual year 8 residential at Aberystwyth was in the week beginning the 15^th of June this year and we were treated to some terrific weather to reward the pupils for their excellent behaviour and attitude. This trip has a real educational value but there is also a great emphasis on enjoyment and the opportunity to make new friends. The visit was in 2 parts with pupils from forms KNHTFGE on the Monday to Wednesday visit with Mr Workman, Mr McIntyre, Mr Hughes, Mr S Bagnall, Miss Woodman, Miss Boulter, Miss G Francis and Miss L Arthur and forms JPLMRW on Wednesday to Friday with Mr Hodnett, Mr Horgan, Mr Taylor, Mr M Williams, Miss Parker, Miss Hollings, Miss J Arthur and Miss H Davies.

We were well looked after in the Pantycelyn Hall of residence where the food was excellent. We learned a lot about the environment from our visits to the CAT centre, Ynyslas Nature Reserve, Borth Beach, the Rheidol Steam Railway and the Devil’s Bridge gorge walk. We were lucky with the weather on our evening of beach games at Aberystwyth and enjoyed an excellent disco in the Students Union on the second evening of each trip. Staff were regularly approached by local people throughout the week to compliment the pupils for their good manners and the impression they made.

The educators at the various places we visited were very interesting and very impressed by the nature of questions being asked by year 8 students. Mr Jones-Williams joined us for the day on the Tuesday and very much enjoyed his visit feeling very proud of the impression being made by pupils from Whitchurch High School. I would like to thank all staff and pupils who made this trip such an enjoyable experience and especially Mr Hodnett for leading trip 2 and Mrs Thomas in the Lower School office for all the preparation work behind the scenes.

Pupils in Year 7 can expect me to start pushing this trip for them early on next year and if you’re in any doubt I suggest to talk to year 8 about how much they enjoyed this year’s trip.